Greece’s public sector registry in 2016 was marked by more hirings than retirements, with the difference being the largest in the past four years, a Kathimerini report says.

According to Ministry of Administrative Reconstruction figures, based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis of data posted by the Greek Public Register of Human Resources.

According to the figures, 9,810 civil servants retired in 2016, compared with 15,925 retirements in 2015, 28,469 retirements in 2014, 32,072 in 2013 and 29,982 retirements in 2012.

Similarly, in 2016 there were 8,211 recruitments against 4,437 recruitment in 2015, 5,349 in 2014 and 2,170 recruitments in 2013.

In 2016, 38.6% of employees who left the public sector held university degrees. Most departures, 24%, were employees aged 55-60 and 21% employees aged between 60 and 65.

As can be seen from the comparative figures, in recent years there has been an increase in the average retirement age from the State. For 2016, the average retirement age was 56 years. In 2015, the average retirement age was 54.8 years and in 2014 it was 55.3 years.

Out of the 9,810 retirements, 7,709 were resignations due to retirement, while 1,001 were due to dismissal, for cases such as end of contract, criminal behavior or dismissal for physical or mental incapability. The Minstry of Education saw the most departures for 2016 (25.10% of the total number) and the Local Authorities (20.19%).

Out of the total number of recruits, 24.9% of them were university graduates, while 25.8% were army or police. In terms of age characteristics, the majority of newly recruited people were under 25 (1,606) and between 35 and 40 (1,387).